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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2021 6:06:51 GMT -8
I have owned several Orient Star watches over the years, also i had a 300M Saturation diver that i sold several yrs ago & later had sellers remorse.
I had the opportunity to repurchase brand new a Orient 300M SEL02002B0, now that it has arrived am reminded just how good quality vs bang for $$ Orient watches really are,.
I also noticed on the instruction booklet Epson is noted, so am guessing since 2017 Orient has been wholey purchased up by Seiko/Epson hence the branding mark.
?. Anyone here also own a Orient watch & whats your opinion of the brand -
Personally i consider Orient watches excellent value & high quality, a mainly mechanical watch company thats been around since c.1950, that makes first class inhouse mechanical watches.
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Post by leffemonster on Jul 20, 2021 6:35:19 GMT -8
I’ve owned about 20 Orient watches, and still have about a dozen in my collection. Wearing one today in fact, my orange dialled Ray II.
I agree with you that they represent excellent value for money, especially when you can pick them up off ebay and Amazon for well below RRP. They may be a little outdated with some of the movements but if it works, it works! I stay away from vintage stuff though as parts availability is sketchy to say the least.
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Post by akable on Jul 20, 2021 15:10:19 GMT -8
I own numerous Orient watches and have always found them to be good value at various price points.
In relation to the company history Epson and Orient both companies entered into a joint venture to enter the IC assembly business in December 1984 when they formed SOTEC Co., Ltd. The relationship continued and in 1997 Epson became the largest shareholder.
In 1988 SOTEC Co., Ltd. was transferred to Epson. In 2001 Epson acquired a 52% stake in Orient.
By 2003 Orient was listed as insolvent and delisted, it was registered as a "green sheet" brand. In 2008 Epson conducted a tender offer to acquire the company and in 2009 Orient becomes a functional subsidiary of Epson. At the start of 2017 financial year (April 1st) the sales department and other sectors of Orient was fully integrated into Epson.
You will notice that all Orient models now have Epson marked on their case backs and manuals.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2021 4:29:28 GMT -8
^^ Thanks for sharing your knowledge on the Orient /Epson restructure, my Orient 300M i got brand new with all plastic protective films still intact etc, the S/S case back doesn't have Epson, but the user instruction manual has Espon on the back. The Orient seller advised he managed to get one of the last production run's of brand new Orient 300's, they are nearly sold out now. Orient 300M- eBay Link |
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Post by seikoskx on Jul 21, 2021 11:13:24 GMT -8
I was never a fan of their designs, but they look like very good value for money.
The orient in house movements are also really cool. They seem to use the Suwa version of the magic lever system, which is identical to that in the 6309 etc.
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suntzu
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Post by suntzu on Jul 21, 2021 13:28:29 GMT -8
My father has the Orient Star RE-AM0001S moon phase. I think he paid like $1,200.00 for it. It has the Epson on the back. It's a beautiful design with quality fit and finish. I like the various textures on the dial. It does have the typical Seiko-like crappy fake alligator shiny leather strap. The movement is very accurate. If it were Swiss made it would be three times what it currently retails for. I'm in the process of selling it for him. At 80 years old and not going to dressy places since the pandemic; he's looking to unload it. Not practical for him anymore. I'd take it from him but he didn't offer  I think he wants the cash.
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Post by akable on Jul 21, 2021 16:35:21 GMT -8
That moon phase is a nice model and agree it is great value for money that would cost significantly more with a different name on the dial.
I this calling the strap "crappy fake alligator shiny leather" a little harsh for a genuine crocodile band. I personally would consider alligators to be crappy fake crocodiles but that is a personal view.
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suntzu
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Post by suntzu on Jul 21, 2021 17:15:57 GMT -8
That moon phase is a nice model and agree it is great value for money that would cost significantly more with a different name on the dial. I this calling the strap "crappy fake alligator shiny leather" a little harsh for a genuine crocodile band. I personally would consider alligators to be crappy fake crocodiles but that is a personal view. It’s not stamped alligator or crocodile on the band. I believe by law if it’s real it needs to be stamped. I have a few dress watches with real alligator and they’re stamped genuine alligator or genuine Louisiana alligator. Seiko is known for their cheap fake alligator bands like on the older SARB Cocktail Time and Alpinist and this one on the Orient reminds me of it. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2021 6:21:43 GMT -8
The seller i bought my Orient 300m SEL02002B saturation diver from has reduced the price, they only have a handful of new ones left, just a heads up as these are long discontinued models & maybe someone here has been looking out to get one, i have no interest in helping seller, only mentioned this for members benefit.  Link below- ORIENT 300M |
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Post by kijafa on Jul 29, 2021 10:48:19 GMT -8
I'm pretty sure there are import/export restrictions regarding gator leather. It's likely a cost-saving measure as well though.
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Post by SeikoSoMatic on Jul 29, 2021 12:06:17 GMT -8
Very nice Orient pickup from '69  |
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